The Chicago Bulls will be without the services of Pau Gasol for the second consecutive game when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 on Tuesday.
Gasol left Game 3 and missed Game 4 after originally straining his left hamstring in Game 2.
Since pouring in 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in a Game 1 victory, Gasol has been hampered, totaling 17 points and eight rebounds on 6-of-15 shooting in 51 minutes of action between Games 2 and 3.
The veteran is no stranger to hamstring strains, suffering two previous injuries that kept him out a month and two-and-a-half weeks, respectively. He emphasized that although he feels that this hamstring strain is not as serious as the last two, he has not been able to run at full speed or change direction. However, he has not ruled out some action in Game 6.
"If I'm able to run and able to play at a certain percentage above 50 percent, I'll try to give it a go," Gasol said of the next game in the series.
The Bulls have performed more than 12 points per 100 possessions better with Gasol on the court in the playoffs, but that's largely a product of his performance in Chicago's first-round series victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
In their second-round series against Cleveland, the Bulls have barely been better (by just 0.1 points per 100 possessions) with Gasol on the court, with the team's offense surging with Pau while its defense suffers.
That's due in large part to Gasol's replacement - and Game 4 starter - Taj Gibson, who is a defensive upgrade over the veteran.
That being said, Gasol is clearly eager to contribute.
"There's still some steps that I need to get done in the next 48 hours to be able to play an NBA game," Gasol explained.
"Tonight is a critical game. But I can't run."
